Live updates - West Sussex County Council 2021 election results
Going into the election, there are 50 Conservative councillors, eight Lib Dems four Labour, four independents, two independent Conservatives and two vacancies. Throughout today (Friday May 7) and tomorrow (Saturday) we will bring you all the results as they come in from across the county.
West Sussex County Council 2021 election results - live updates
Key Events
- All 70 divsions up for grabs
- Bulk of results due today (Friday) with Adur and Worthing’s due to be counted Saturday
- Conservatives defending substantial majority
CONSERVATIVE HOLD - HAYWARDS HEATH EAST
HILLIER Stephen R (Conservative) 1493 ELECTED, NICHOLSON Deanna W (Green) 457, SMITH George E (Lib Dem) 468, WHITING Richard J (Lab) 623
CONSERVATIVE HOLD - EAST GRINSTEAD SOUTH AND ASHURST WOOD
BUONOCORE Laura (Green) 389, CLARK Amanda J (Lib Dem) 806, MACQUIRE Dave (Reform UK) 92, PRITCHARD Stephen (Labour) 292, RUSSELL Jacquie (Conservative) 1699 ELECTED.
LIB DEM HOLD - LITTLEHAMPTON EAST
The first West Susssex County Council result is in Arun, where Lib Dem James Walsh is returned for another term in Littlehampton East. Not only is Dr Walsh the authority’s longest serving councillor, he is currently leader at Arun District Council. Having held the position for eight years he indicated he is likely to step down as Lib Dem group leader at County Hall after the election.
Ballot papers issued in error
From Bognor Regis: “62 voters across 6 polling stations were issued ballots for elections in which they were not eligible to vote yesterday morning but a spokesperson from Arun District Council has said no voters have lost their vote.”
90 ballot papers issued in error across 6 Arun District polling stations
90 ballot papers were issued in error to 62 voters across 6 polling stations in Arun district yesterday, but no one has lost their vote.
Over in the East
East Sussex County Council has announced its first few results so fingers crossed West Sussex will be hot on its heels
First West Sussex results announced
The first results to come in are both from Chichester, where Lib Dem Sarah Quail has been elected in a Chichester City Council by-election, while Conservative Julian Murch has won a Southbourne Parish Council by-election.
English local election results so far
So far it’s been a good day for the Conservatives across England as they’ve already picked up a number of council seats, mostly at the expense of Labour. The Lib Dems and Greens have made gains here and there. How good an indicator is this for West Sussex? At the district and borough elections in 2019 the Lib Dems, Greens and Labour picked up seats in different areas. Can that be replicated at county level, or could the Conservatives actually improve on 2017 when they took 56 of 70 seats?
County councillors stepping down
Prior to polling day, we took a look at some of the familiar faces at County Hall not standing for re-election this year
West Sussex county councillors not standing for re-election - in pictures
With 70 seats up for election at West Sussex County Council next week, a number of familiar faces are stepping down this time around.